BF 1291 
• H4 
Copy 1 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



022 194 161 5 



- 1291 
-14 
>py 1 



4 



— — 



TH E 



EXPERIENCES AND OPINIONS 



OF 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 



FROM 



SPIRIT LIFE 



/ IjS^yx^Jt^' 



SAJST IHR^AJSTOISOO: 

1 P7R . 



THE 



EXPERIENCES AND OPINIONS 



OF 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 



FROM 



SPIRIT LIFE 



dA 







S-A.IST FRANCISCO; 
1878. 






INTRODUCTION, 



The main contents of this pamphlet were written 
by Washington, in 1868, using the mediumship of 
Mrs. M. J. Upham Hendee. 

The preface was written by my request, in May, 
1878. 

It is my mission to give it to the world. Like its 
author it needs no introduction. Every page bears 
the impress of him, who in earth-life, was noted for 
truthfulness. 

It comes in good time as a message of love-teach- 
ing of the spirit, and a spirit-world as tangible reali- 
ties, and a God of love everywhere. 

T. B. CLARKE. 



Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1878, 
By Thomas Browneix, Clarke, 
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. 



Communication received May 25th, 1878. 



My dear friend of earth, how gladly do I come to-day, and hope I may 
impart glorious truths which I have been permitted to learn in my spirit- 
home. 

Oh ! how earnestly do we from our home of light, yearn to impress you 
with these divine blessings, for we know it will be a great comfort in your 
earthly homes to learn that earth is not all, but another is prepared for you 
wherein you will live and enjoy the felicity and companionship of loved 
ones who have passed from you to an unknown and silent world, and to be 
assured that they are living and enjoying the privileges and happiness of 
homes with all surrounding blessing. Yes, dear friends, it speaks to the 
souls of every living being, and lifts them above darkness and doubt — taking 
away the sting of death — weaving it with a far more glorious life beyond. 

My great desire is to arouse men's minds to grow into a beautiful, trust- 
ing love, that the Creator doeth all things well. Every spirit who comes to 
this blessed world, is astonished as they awake to the wondrous beauty of 
this new-found home; and you may conceive what is their astonishment 
after the teachings of the past. 

But, thank God for this blessing in the awakening of your world to-day, 
through the ministrations of his angels who have opened the door for mort- 
als, and united them through magnetic currents to blend souls between 
the two worlds. To us it is a joyous achievement, for we know of what 
we speak, when we shall succeed in the full meaning of our mission in 
giving a new life to millions now in darkness and fear; and you need not 
wonder that angels, who have risen out of this condition, should move 
heaven and earth to give unto man a true knowledge of existence. 

It seems to me that this truth once established wouid arouse the hearts 
of men to renewed life on earth — cause them to feel that there was some- 
thing grand to live for besides the mortal which is so evanescent and fleet- 
ing in comparison with an eternal home, ever growing brighter by uDfold- 
ing intelligences reaching out toward the divine, and would cause the old, 
worn-out garments of theology to be cast of as cumberous and unclean. 

Life is eternal, and its joys and blessings await you all, and though you 
see them not, it will be proven a reality. 

The two worlds are shaking hands, and soon man will walk in the image 
of his Maker, blending the soul-world with the mortal. We know that 
you cannot see us ; yet we are with you in love and truth, and happy to 
see so much interest awakened toward us. 

As this will be the last opportunity to write before my experiences are 
given to the world, I wish to say that it is a truthful account, though 
only one of thousands yet to be given to the loved ones of earth. May 
God bless you for this privilege which has been a blessing that we might 
give another from our beautiful home in the spirit-land. 

Yours fraternally, 

GEORGE WASHINGTON. 



PREFACE. 



My dear earth-friends, feeling a deep interest in humanity, I endeavored 
ten years ago to open the portals of life to those yet veiled in uncertainty 
concerning their future, by giving my experience in the transition to and 
in the realms of spirit-life. I then little thought my message would lie 
unrecognized so long. I trust higher intelligences have overruled for greater 
good. 

On awakening to these heavenly spheres, I found them in all their asso- 
ciations so unlike what I had been taught, that I could only feel amazed, 
and wonder at their marvelous beauty. I seemed spell-bound with joy at 
realizing that I still retained my individuality, and a life so real that were 
it not I saw so many loved ones who had passed on before, giving me such 
blessed congratulations and welcome, I should have felt myself still a resi- 
dent of earth. 

I resolved that if it were possible to open communication with earth, I 
would devote my powers to that end, and have made every effort to the 
consummation of the truth of angel ministrations. 

Many have been working to open a channel of communication, often 
coming to earth to strengthen the power, forming magnetic and electric 
currents whereby we could connect earth and heaven, and thus give proof 
to mortals of our identity as living beings who once were mortals, and yet 
retained their selfhood. Many efforts were made, before we gained recog- 
nition, but when the glad news that an interchange of intelligent commu- 
nication between the two worlds had been recognized, the joyful song rang 
through, the vaults of heaven, chanted by thousands eager to grasp the 
loving hands or catch the whispering sound ortinyrups which should bring 
the dead to life, and open the gates of heaven to all. 

After many efforts, I succeeded in gaining strength to control this me- 
dium to convey my experiences and wishes to those in earth-life, uncertain 
of their future destiny. 

Too long have the false teachings of an angry God and an eternal hell 
consumed the best thoughts of humanity, cramped the divine soul, unfitting 
it either for the earth or spirit-life. 

Thousands, to-day, choose darkness and uncertainty, blinding their eyes 
from the glories of heaven, through fear of an impending doom pronounced 
by wicked teachers of dark traditional theology, which has misconstrued 
God into a demon instead of a loving Father. 

But those terrible dark and wicked teachings are passing, and the 
teachers are now wondering in bewilderment of their delusions, ignorance 
and superstitions in view of the higher knowledge of right, justice and 
truth coming from millions of ministering angels in all lands and tongues. 

The time is not far distant, when new openings will be made which will 
reveal more fully the truth of this home of light and joy to mortal sight; 
for heaven and earth are now working in unison for its completion. 

I must now bless you for giving to the world this faint description of 
our blessed home, hoping it may find favor with all honest, earnest seekers 
after truth; and close with my fraternal blessing, 

GEORGE WASHINGTON. 



SECTION FIRST. 

Friends of earth-life, in coming here to bear my testi- 
mony with the hosts of spirit friends, regarding our spirit- 
ual home and its natural earth -life condition, gives me 
great pleasure to be enabled to impart a knowledge of the 
experiences of one whom you have known as a resident 
upon your earthly sphere. 

Having passed the change called death, I still find myself 
a living, intelligent being, actually alive to all scenes inci- 
dent to earth-life, yet comprehending a fuller and happier 
condition; finding there is no death but the beautiful change 
called death, to be but the birth of the soul into realms of 
spiritual unfoldments; where like children born into earth- 
life, we feel the weakness and strangeness of our situation, 
not comprehending the wonderful change that has come 
over us; but being guided and strengthened by our loved 
ones, who meet us at the gateway to welcome us, yielding, 
trustingly, lovingly to their protection; becoming strength- 
ened, we learn to adapt ourselves to the conditions sur- 
rounding us; thus we gradually become awakened and 
strengthened, until every fibre of the soul is pulsating with 
new and wonderful emotions, thrilling with joy to learn 
that we can still communicate with mortals, and impress 
them with our presence, and that we still can assist and 
guide them by our influence and teachings, urging them 
to honesty and truthfulness here, as passports to a higher 
and more useful life. I therefore give you my experience 
of having been ushered into a new and to me incompre- 
hensible state of existence, so unlike my idea of heaven 
as described to my earthly vision, that you will not be sur- 
prised at my astonishment. 

My first awakening into spirit-life was like awakening 
out of sleep on a bright and lovely morning in June, when 
the freshness of flowers and the music of birds atune all 
nature to harmony. I could not understand where I was. 
I was filled with awe at the appearance and grandeur of 
the wonderful sublime surroundings. While beholding 
these things, I seemed to recall the past — to realize that I 
had passed from earth and must now be in heaven. Can 
this be, I said to myself; and yet everything is as natural 
as in earth-life. How strange, how wonderful everything 
seemed, so like earth that I seem to doubt my senses, and 
yet I know r that I must have changed — must have left the 
form — for I perceived that I had not the same material 



6 

body; and remembered also the dear friends weeping 
over me, bidding me farewell; and said surely this is 
heaven for which I had so often prayed. But it is not 
so great a change, for everything is so real and life-like, 
that I shall be able to comprehend its locality and sphere, 
and its distance from earth — for it is no longer a visionary 
heaven, but a real local place. While these strange 
thoughts were passing through my mind, I seemed to be 
in a kind of pleasing dream; partly asleep and partly 
awake. While thus wondering as to my condition, a sweet, 
bright vision of glorified spirits seemed to approach and 
arouse me to a greater fullness of my condition and sur- 
roundings. One beautiful, bright spirit came out from 
the number, and extending her arms, cried: " George, my 
son, you have come to me, and a mother's arms can again 
embrace you — can watch over you. You have passed 
beyond the earthly plane, and are now in spirit spheres. 
My dear devoted mother, how beautiful she seemed; as 
natural and real as when in the earth-form. The vision 
opened, and I beheld many dear earth friends coming near 
to me; many a one who had passed on before — many a 
loved one whom I had seen depart to that unknown bourn 
from whence do traveler returns again to take up the 
form — but who I find do take form of spirit matter and 
return to visit their earthly scenes, and hover around the 
dear ones left on the earth plane. 

My first awakening to consciousness of this new life, 
seemed so truly natural I felt a delightful happiness per- 
vading my being. Those dear angels, whose ministering 
kindness aroused to consciousness my feeble spirit, gave 
me full assurance of a continued life in this new phase of 
being. Truly, a light broke in upon my being, a wonder- 
ful change, and yet I lived and held converse with those 
who had long preceded me. My mother, who was truly 
my guardian spirit, gave me into the protection of those 
who should assist in strengthening and arousing my self- 
sustaining power to become an independent being, to act 
in the great drama of spirit existence. They took me to the 
most lovely scenes ; scenes that bewildered my feeble con- 
ception, and yet so natural that I could only wonder at its 
life-like associations. 

At this time I felt that I was surrounded by a host of 
divine beings, but upon looking, I saw many of my dear 
friends of earth rejoicing at my coming — those who had 
passed on years gone by, who had almost passed out of 
my mind, had now come to welcome me to this new home. 
Aged friends were before me now living pictures of youth 



and beauty, robed in pure, celestial garments of azure 
brightness. They had come to welcome me to this bright 
sphere and bear me on to bright and heavenly knowledge 
of my present condition. 

How my soul swelled with emotion at the thought that 
ail were here in this beautiful world, and no one cast out, 
but all growing brighter as they become acquainted with 
the true laws of development. 

Truly, my first knowledge was astonishment, delight and 
wonder at the gorgeous scenery of scintillated light from 
gorgeous domes above — with flowers whose perfume 
wrapped me within their folds of sweetness — while beau- 
tiful birds of every hue warbled forth their strains of 
music in such sweet tones of melody that 1 seemed to lose 
myself amid so much loveliness and grandeur that 1 slept. 

How long, 1 have no knowledge. I was awaked by a 
voice saying, "My son, I wish you to come up higher." 
Looking up, I saw my mother, and with her a band of 
angels who I had not seen before. 

These were a band of martyrs who had come up through 
great tribulation, who had fought bravely and had won 
the crown of knowledge, and often returned to earth to 
minister to those who were still striving for liberty. They 
had been with us in our dark and trying moments of sor- 
row and fear, guiding and directing us through the peril- 
ous struggle for freedom, and had inspired many a feeble 
heart and nerved many a palsied arm to oppose the up- 
lifted blow which was raised to crush out that divine spark 
of freedom that burned upon the altar of our souls. It 
was to them who had lived and died for that great boon 
for which we were then contending, that they had come 
from their bright home to assist us to gain that freedom 
here which they saw and felt, but could not gain only 
through the dissolving elements of the flesh. I stood con- 
founded, and said to them do you tell me then that we can 
return back to earth and become ministering spirits to 
those we have left there? Truly, my son said an aged 
sire, such is the truth, and we have come to you, knowing 
your sympathy and Jove for those around you, and your 
impressibility to become en rapport with such as have 
kind and generous natures to prepare you for a continua- 
tion of the mission you are so well adapted to fill. The 
love of your countrymen and confidence reposed in you, 
will enable you to do much good for the advancement of 
that liberty, that generous, confiding love of brotherly 
kindness which you so generously manifested while sus-> 
taining and upholding them in their great struggle for 



8 

freedom . Truly this is joy unspeakable to know that I 
may still be permitted to return to earth and mingle again 
in the scenes I have loved so well — this is joy indeed. I 
now understand why heaven is such a beautiful place, and 
why angels are so happy in it — because they can partici- 
pate in all that has made life happy; a continuation of 
blest associations; a continuation of a renewed life to do 
good and receive good; to be givers and receivers. What 
a wonderful lesson to the soul, that to be happy we must 
impart our good gifts to others, that they may be bene- 
fitted so as to benefit others again — a divine law of the 
Almighty; the more we °ive the more we receive. I per- 
ceive the overshadowing wisdom of this great lesson. How 
did my soul bound with delight to know that I could 
again be permitted to help the down-trodden and suffering 
of earth. I was truly blest with such heavenly rays of 
light breaking in upon my yet infant senses as it were, 
that I seemed to forget those divine beings who surrounded 
me, and who quietly took me to a gorgeous home, when 
again I lost myself in repose. 

On awakening from this strengthening sleep, I felt invig- 
orated and refreshed, ready to go forth to new duties, my 
mind being filled with joy unspeakable at the wonderful 
developments that were transpiring in this new transition. 

Again an angel stood before me, and told me to follow 

DO ' 

him, as I did so, he wafted me through wondrous scenes 
of changing life, over mountains, whose majestic slopes 
and towering heights were grand beyond description, 
passing through flowery valleys whose running streams 
and cooling shades invited to repose. 

Before us lay a lovely valley, whose bosom was real 
with sweet-tinted mosses and flowers of every hue. Just 
as we neared an elevation of gently sloping hills, we be- 
held grottoes and mansions of pearly brightness, dazzling 
in the sunlight. 

A bright angel, too lovely for description, stepped before 
us, pointing upwards. We raised our eyes, and beheld 
a charmed circle above shedding rays of light and beauty 
around us. She spoke, and then 1 saw the sweet linea- 
ments of a departed friend, who had passed away long 
years before — one who had enchained my heart in my 
early youth, when the brow was clear, and sorrow had 
not set its seal on my brow of care. She stepped or glided 
forward, extending her hand, saying, ' 'Welcome, friend, 
welcome here. I have waited long for you as a dear friend 
from my earth-home. That band you see coming are 
dear friends of our early associations. Your presence has 



drawn them here to welcome you to this new life ; they 
will take you hither to show you their beautiful sphere, 
when you have become more awakened to your new sur- 
roundings." I lived again through the past — the long past 
that had not returned to me in many years — all seemed 
fresh now as when I wandered over the bright scenes in 
my youthful happiness. Can this be possible, I said, that 
I meet you again more beautiful than before — truly, this is 
real, this is heaven, more of heaven, more of joy than the 
one we pictured in our earthly life — for does it not give us 
all of our brightest our happiest realities here again, full 
fresh in the embodiment of life, to be forever blessed — for- 
ever progressing and elevating one another. 

This bright, spirit said "Follow me." She turned into 
a gorgeous palace, where I beheld in an arched room con- 
stellated with gems of rarest beauty, an art-gallery of 
paintings of our noblest, our most illustrious men and 
women of earth life, many who we would not find in the 
galleries of earth paintings, but who were known by soul 
teaching to be worthy of a place in the soul world. 

Wealth or position had not brought them here, but the 
true, living soul that worked itself out in humility, ignoring 
suffering for the truth they would not deny. 

Could you see the soul speaking through the expression 
of the eye, you would wonder that they had been neglected 
while in earth life. Truly here was fit study for inspira- 
tion, living, breathing life startling out from those angelic 
works. 

After viewing these, we were ushered into another room 
or arched dome, whose sides were filled with works of art 
and scientific lore — the sages, the poets, the painters, 
sculptors, philosophers, heroes and martyrs of every age 
and clime, who had expressed through these volumes their 
thought, their investigations, their trials and experiences 
gained while inhabitants of this earthly sphere. 

Wonderful was this great library, and truly did I stand 
in wonder and amazement at this to me incomprehensible 
grandeur of what I saw before me. Still we moved on to 
another circular dome, when to my astonished gaze opened 
a museum of every thing created on our globe from its 
first formation to the present time or at that time, for that 
was during my first introduction to spirit spheres. These 
are spirit designs before the earth is moulded into form, 
for spirit conceives and impregnates earth with its concep- 
tion of everything that was made, whether life, vegetable 
or mineral. Thus we beheld the models of spirit life. 
Wonderful indeed, are thy works, O God, Thou great 



10 

Divine; should we not give thanks to Thee whom to know 
is to love unspeakable and full of glory. The guide, for 
such this bright angel was, told me that all inventions or 
designs were preconceived in spirifc-life and impressed 
upon those minds most susceptible and best adapted to 
such controls given at the time the world most needs them 
or can appreciate them — thus supplying her wants as fast 
as she demands — showing an all-wise power creating 
wants and supplying them. What a thought! that souls 
that hunger after food find their supply in spirit com- 
munion, whether through mechanical labor, mental lore 
or inspirational wisdom. 

We now moved on. She said that she would take me 
to the homes of some who had been earth's poets. We 
came to a lovely spot where clustered beautiful trees and 
flowers, with miniature lakes and mounds which gave such 
a life scene that I felt chained to the spot. 

Here were the homes of Shelly, Pope and Dryden, 
sages and philosophers in their earth time and age, resting 
in this sphere to revel again in those luxurious scenes of 
song, in which thej^ loved to linger. Volumes of poems 
lay around, whose language had startled the world, and 
volumes that should arouse it again through other pens. 

Such I found this beautiful locality — a living breathing 
witness of continued life. While we were contemplating 
of these beautiful homes, I was impressed to look at a 
lovely lake where were many spirits congregated. Fol- 
lowing my guide, we approached to where they were 
gathered — when, suddenly, a shout of heavenly music 
broke upon my senses and swelled within those vibrating 
emotions of grandeur and sublimity that seemed to carry 
me to all that had ever passed on to higher and holier realms 
of bliss. These were those whom I had long loved in 
sympathy, mingling together with those whose homes I 
had just passed. They came to us and seemed to recog- 
nize me by a peculiar tie that binds spirit to spirit. 

We were welcomed to this beautiful retreat, and many 
were the inquiries for their home associations. 

After passing a pleasant time, we returned to the home 
of my guide, when bidding me adieu, we parted. 

My mother again approached, saying, "My son, we will 
now take you back to earth, where you may recognize the 
great sphere in which you will be guided and directed by 
those who will show you your mission." 

I was happy to be permitted to revisit my home where 
all was dear to me; where many a friend still dwelt in the 
form to whom I longed to make known my happiness in 



11 

being able to return to earth in the happy consciousness 
of being able to impart good if not to make myself known. 

How eager did I again revisit old scenes, and how fresh 
came back to me all my past, and how truly gratified to 
be permitted this great blessing. 

How I longed to make myself known to the dear ones 
left on earth. I was told that the time would come when 
I would be able to make myself known, be recognized as 
one who would be a friend to those still living upon the 
earth, that my duties on earth were only a commencement 
of continual life. That now I was being prepared to help 
those who still linger in bondage, to aw^aken those who 
slept in unconsciousness of their true life; that, that lib- 
erty for which I was an instrument to gain, had only com- 
menced, and the continuation was a full, a free light for 
all to see, that should be as free to all as the sun's rays, 
that no one could hide or destroy ; that it might illuminate 
all; that there should be no more oppression, no more 
bondage for man, but a free, universal freedom for all, an 
elevated spiritual condition of mankind; that they must be 
lifted out of this fear and darkness, and the angel world 
must mingle their sympathies and draw by their influence 
the souls of men out of bondage into confidence and love 
with God and the angel world. 

How truly has to me that prophecy been fulfilled, that 
one of angels ministering unto the wants of men. Could 
man to-day, with all the great inspiration of this era, 
realize the wonderful changes being wrought out through 
angel ministry, he would not so often despair for the 
future. 

What to man often looks dark and obscure may be the 
greatest of blessings in disguise. We trust too much to 
our powers and knowledge of eternal things and yield 
not enough to our interior promptings. 

When man learns to listen to the teachings from within, 
he will enable those loved friends to come nearer and im- 
press them with the truthfulness of life. 

I know, by my own experience, that I was helped much 
in my earthly life. 1 felt it then, but now I know. I was 
not the only one; thousands before me knew that great 
fact, and silently heeded it, and were blest accordingly. 

For many years the world has been taught to deny those 
teachings as superstitious, and believers were called 
dreamers or fanatics, and utterly discarded in the world 
by popular teachings. Mothers and grandmothers have 
been looked upon as imbecil and deranged, who spoke of 
seeing or believing in "ghosts' 7 or dreams; and many an 



12 

honest, true-hearted, loving being, has been called a witch 
in communication with the devil, because she could tell of 
the future. Oh what dreadful darkness and superstition 
reigned in the days of witchcraft; how many bright souls 
were condemned and cruelly murdered by infatuated and 
misled beings, whose bigoted education and fear of a devil 
caused them to commit. Oh ignorance! how terrible are 
the revolutions which must roll over you to work out the 
great problem of a true life, whose inner essence is the 
aroma of all progress. 

The angel world has ever ministered to the wants of 
man through all time, and had not bigotry and persecu- 
tion ruled the earth with such a fearful hand, we might 
now be in sweet communion with the world, without doubt 
or fear. But those who have held power have used it to 
their own aggrandizement, and to sustain it have com- 
pelled the masses to ignorance and servitude, transferring 
God into a tyrant rather than a father. 

Even when Christ was sent to enlighten and harmonize 
the world, he could not be recognized by them because he 
came not as they liked but as meek and lowly. How are 
the meek and lowly appreciated to-day, are they exalted 
or acknowledged ? No. Such a spirit can never grow 
into a true spiritual condition, and the world cease to 
recognize the eternal as the one great aim of life. How 
many sacrifice dear and loving friends for the sake of 
being popular amongst those whose soul's aim is to shine 
like a flash of lightning while the bolt strikes its votary 
to the heart. 

The cold formal teachings of theology has done its work 
upon the hearts of men; it has hardened them to other's 
goodness, and uplifted those who had its instructions as 
something better than a brother who does not see as they do. 

If they would take Christ's example and teachings for 
their guide, striving to do as He did, with the same simple 
faith doing good and persecuting none, they would not 
remain idle, waiting for him to cleanse them from their 
sins by the blood He shed upon the cross. All that fail 
to learn that lesson in earth life, will have to learn it in 
the spirit; will have to learn that they have a work to do, 
and that if not done in earth life must be done in spirit, 
as no one can escape his mission. All "must work out 
their own salvation" in earth life or in the life to come. 

Such were Christ's words as were impressed upon him 
and such all find it on coming here. Those who do not 
live with and by the spirit in earth life must work throu'gh 
that darkness after coming to spirit life. There are many 



13 

phases or spheres through which spirit has to grow to 
become an independent spirit of the spheres. Many lin- 
ger around earth years, having so much of the earthy 
about them that it attracts to itself all that belongs to it. 
If the spirit has not grown to a condition -to free itself 
from its material, it will cling around until grown into a 
more spiritual condition. Thousands have to come back 
and take possession of other persons to carry out their 
unprogressed condition, and the more material their 
medium is, the better can spirits of that class act through 
them. Ail should endeavor to class their mediums ac- 
cording to their development, and not allow those pro- 
gressed to a more spiritual plane to mingle with those of 
the earlier development in a social relation of circles un- 
less as teachers. It is the same law as in governing 
schools. No teacher, for a moment, would bring himself 
down to the capacity of a scholar in the intellectual scale, 
expecting that scholar to be as well educated as himself, 
after having passed through many grades of education. 
But he may love, respect and mingle with them to instruct, 
to elevate them to a condition of knowledge. But to try 
to render himself as uneducated, would place him out of 
his condition, making it very inharmonious for both. 
Thus you see the same law governs both. We commence 
at the primary and rise in the progressive scale of intelli- 
gence. Infants are beautiful as miniature men and women, 
but they are not men and women for want of experience 
and knowledge, gained by the progressive life. This 
beautiful law of development gives a new light of useful- 
ness through time alid throughout eternity. 

All are one great family, working out principles of life 
and assisting one another in the great workshop of eternity, 
all being perfectly arranged in harmony and beauty. 



SECTION SECOND. 

I have wandered from my theme, perhaps, in illustrating 
the great problem of life, but when such volumes come up 
before me of retrospection, I cannot fail to illustrate as I 
feel the wonderful in God's great arcana, that life once 
given, ever liveth in and through all eternity. 

I saw the bright star rising, which should be seen by 
all, and being seen would awaken the world to a conscious- 



14 

ness of the great revelation. Inspired men of all ages 
have felt this grand law, but could not fully comprehend 
it. The general awakening of the present day, is only the 
result of a long struggle between darkness and light, igno- 
rance and education, not the refined education that limits 
its pupil to certain rules and forms, but a general educa- 
tion of mind and soul, an impulse to learn all things, an 
investigation of all laws of God, both material and spiritual, 
not cramping the mind to certain limits, but cultivating, 
enlarging and beautifying all things within this great 
temple of life. I find myself coming back many times to 
earth to gain instruction from those who have to give from 
their knowledge of earth in her more recent developments, 
while I too can impart knowledge gained in sphere life, 
and often get sweet instruction while ministering to the 
wants of man. The world looks to us for all knowledge 
being governed by a law like unto themselves. We find 
ourselves limited to conditions we cannot overcome, and 
can give light or knowledge no farther than we have indi- 
vidually advanced, unless at times, through inspirational 
moments, we reach beyond our sphere. Still, we have 
much to give, were conditions only understood to bring 
out the hidden treasures of the soul, and when it can be 
brought around we can do much. 

As yet, the world is far from being passive to the proper 
conditions. It is only by great efforts that so much has 
been gained, but enough to know that we feel that we have 
been recognized as a living principle, a desire to be free as 
God, free as the inspiration with which we are surrounded. 
Every element in life must be free to receive the fullness of 
our father and our mother's love — unbounded, unbroken. 
The great struggle for liberty to worship God according to 
the dictates of our own interior longings, wrote itself on 
the tablets of eternity. To be compelled to worship accord- 
ing to another's form or creed, is as abhorent to the soul as to 
compel one living to be tied to a dead body, and drag it 
with him through life in anticipation of an eternal repose. 
No, every awakened soul has aspirations adapted to his 
wants, and can be led by truth and beauty up to higher 
and holier principles, but can never be driven by threats 
or scorn to embrace what to them has no beaut} 7 or holi- 
ness. Terrors never create love and trusting confidence; 
there is always a fear of some terrible change w r hich will 
bring them to some dread account. It was this great in- 
spiration which aroused our forefathers to forsake their 
homes and friends, to find freedom to worship their great 
teacher, who they felt impressed them on to a home fresh 



15 

with life and free from the hands of its creator, where 
they might worship in the fullness and purity of their 
souls. How beautiful, how glorious was the free unbound- 
ed love that went up to the father of all for his love and 
mercy, in opening a way that gave liberty to express those 
beautiful thoughts that came swelling up in their souls, 
gushing out in praise and j'03^ for their great deliverance, 
to praise God after their own mind. What will not the 
soul do to emerge into light? It will seek its own — it can- 
not be driven back; you rnaj- check it or strive to check it 
from its course — but like a river it will burst its bounds, 
and struggle through in other ways in its course to the 
ocean — fur there it is bound and there it will go. But try 
and beautify it by removing the obstructions, and it will 
flow on beautiful to look upon, and useful as a current of 
life to bear us on to our destination. Such then is the 
soul of man; it feels its own intention, its own awak- 
ing; and shall another dare to deny or debar that soul 
the freedom of sweet communion with God. Can we 
fathom God? if not, can we fathom the soul? If God is 
infinite, it must take everything to make God; and is it 
not necessary that every soul must have its own inspira- 
tion of God; we cannot all understand him alike; we can 
only see him from our own standpoint. Some see him in 
fear as a terrible being; that is partly owing to education 
or surroundings, or unhealthy conditions of the mind, 
from physical disorganizations; and they look through 
those phases as we look through smoked glass, and give 
the coloring of that divine being through distorted lenses, 
each seeing Him according to their capacity. Therefore 
all see Him differently; still He is the same God, yester- 
day, to-day and forever. Those whose souls have been 
cramped by fear of Him, look at Him only to dread Him 
as a hard and cruel master, while those who recognize 
Him with confidence and love as a true father, unbounded 
in love and wisdom, see Him beautified and good, bestow- 
ing good gifts unto his children. They behold Him in 
everything as a recognized being, whose fullness is seen 
everywhere. It is this emotional, this restless law of 
development that inspires and moves beings out of the 
common and dull routine of every-day life; to arouse them 
from a dormant capacity as it were to a new, a living 
awakening to a something newer, and a higher and holier 
principle of life. It is not us that are doing this, but the 
divine spark that is within us that arouses us to a con- 
sciousness of a want not supplied — a yearning after some- 



16 

thing beyond, for which we need and must have to satisfy 
the demands of our being. 

We have not understood God's laws that the soul has 
its requirements as well as the physical body, and that 
to nourish it we must understand what those wants are, 
and supply them as readily as we would the starving body 
with its desire for nourishment. We have fed the body 
with food as we imperfectly understood it, but have utterly 
deDied food for the soul of thousands of starving children. 
It has been a custom — a law in fact — to compel men and 
women (made and recognized by God as his children) to 
worship him according to a religious rite, entirely against 
their inclination, better judgment or intuitive impressions, 
because it was a recognized religion of the world. 

Must every flower grow upon a rock, because one 
chanced to be born there or in the dark cavern, or does 
God bless them everywhere. Do they not flourish best 
where nature is best adapted to their wants — the morning 
sunshine, the fertile soil and sparkling dew-drops. Yet 
those beautiful flowers which are so lovely, are in as sweet 
communion with their creator as those more blest with 
congenial life. We feel that it is delight to have beauti- 
ful birds caged to administer to our happiness; but are 
they living a fullness of life; have they liberty? I always 
felt while listening to their plaintive strains, that there was 
a sadness lingering around them which gave me a feeling 
of pity for their prisoned condition. Every soul longs for 
freedom, and feels a mysterious tie binding him to a future, 
a different life. We try to overcome it by rendering our- 
selves happy to present surroundings, but we inevitably feel 
that we are to act some part to us yet unknown. We cannot 
chain the soul; it is linked with the unfathomable beyond 
this sphere; we are beings of change, and the infinite has 
written out our lives on the great future. 

Worlds cannot hold us; we are ever moving onward, and 
upward to an unknown intelligence which will give to us 
as fast as we can comprehend it- — infinite instinct draws us 
unto that protection and nourishment which is designed 
for our u?e — but we have sadly denied that silent language, 
which never deceives when rightly understood. 

The inevitable law of progress shows that we are destined 
to be an intelligent and spiritual world; everything demon- 
strates that fact, from the earliest formation to the present 
time. I thought much of these things before leaving earth; 
I saw many things which proved beyond a doubt to my 
mind, that this earth was developing itself; and that it 
passed of forms to another life which were to live and com- 



17 

municate with us intelligently. Many things occurred to 
me which gave proof of this. Those trying scenes through 
which I passed in that long revolutionary struggle for 
liberty, gave me many an impression of an interior, a 
spirit-iife, and left a conviction with me that I should live 
again, and return to earth with a full consciousness of 
being, and as a dweller in spirit-life should recognize the 
material world; but my ideas of heaven were never clearly 
defined. It was always clothed in mystery regarding its 
true locality and surroundings. I always felt that I was 
led or guided rather than an independent being; I felt the 
preserving hand of God, as I recognized it then in shield- 
ing me from danger, while those around me were stricken 
down while in comparative safety. There 'seemed to be a 
presence always about me, whispering words of consola- 
tion and encouragement. History records some of those 
wonderful events which transpired to preserve me from 
danger and privations, while so many of my dear comrades 
fell to rise no more on earth, but rose in immortality, there 
to await my coming with welcome songs of praise, as to a 
brother who had tarried longer upon that troubled bosom 
of mother earth, until her restless children had found 
peace and liberty to shield them from oppression and 
bigotry, where they could praise God under their own vine 
aud fig-tree. 

Those beautiful inspirations in my earthly life are now 
being realized in my spiritual progression — those beauti- 
ful interior thoughts are becoming living truths to my 
spiritual senses, for every flower and drop of water, every 
grain of sand speaks unto the soul its own future, and is 
again recognized in spirit-life with all its fullness and soul 
meaning to our spiritual understanding. 

The poet, the painter, in their inspirational moments, 
illustrate the soul of things to the world, in a language 
which inspires those who read or look upon the canvas 
with the wonderful and beautiful in nature and art — that 
soul language we took with us to our beautiful home as 
mementoes of past ages when we were mortal and inhabi- 
tants of the sphere of physical, when the soul had a mortal 
covering to protect and perfect a divinity, an independent 
form to be retained and perfected in its organization, while 
a dweller here — a recognized, identified, spiritual being in 
its progression through the different spheres of spirit-life. 
Such, then, I found Heaven, a perpetual living epitome, 
where we, as children born into spirit-life, were to grow, 
taking on. with us such conditions as this life gave us, of 
variety and attraction that were harmonious to our condi- 



18' 

tion, and as we awoke to a higher and nobler condition we 
lose those things we no longer need, rising out as it were 
Phcenix like from our ashes of the past, to a newer and 
brighter sphere of usefulness, fori find that in laying down 
our earthly garments that the spirit does not find eternal 
rest, but has just taken up its work in this wonderful pro- 
gress of eternal law. 

I thought while on earth that my labors would be ended 
when the great rest came — that my mission was filled when 
I entered paradise and could have constant association with 
the blest, and be permitted an occasional visit to earth, 
for I could not give up the thought that spirits might come 
near earth at times and minister somewhat to their condi- 
tions — but as I have said, I had but an indistinct idea of 
heaven and the angel world. 

What I have seen since my advent to spirit life has been 
a lesson to me and may be some benefit to those yet in the 
form. I find that all my usefulness did not cease at my 
change — that I had only laid out a small portion of useful- 
ness and labor while in earth-life, and that what good seed 
I had sown while in the form would do its good work — 
that my deviations from natural laws only debarred for a 
time the spirit progress to higher conditions. 



SECTION THIKD. 

The first sounds of those tiny raps awakened a slum- 
bering world to a consciousness of living witnesses minis- 
tering to them the unfoldment of a new era of existence 
which would usher into being a new principle of thought 
and action ; a divine revelation from the world of those 
departed who again had returned, making themselves 
known by a thousand new and strange forms of speech, 
and action, giving an alphabet of spirit-life, through and 
by which they could communicate to their dear friends 
from the other shore, proving by those wonderful demon- 
strations their true identity. 

With what joy did those living witnesses greet us as we 
silently, though truthfully, gave demonstrations of con- 
tinued life. 

But the world, always slow to recognize anything be- 
yond their limited comprehension, denied and scorned the 



19 

thought that immortal friends could or would return again 
to earth. Many, through fear of some dread exposure, 
imagining the revelations of some of their hidden mysteries 
or wrongs done to others, scoffed at the possibility of 
spirit return, while in their hearts they trembled lest it 
should be true. 

The Pharisee felt it would revolutionize his theory of 
religion. Such has been the principal cause of denying 
the mission of spirits to this world, wishing by combating 
and denying to deny to us the privilege of returning to 
earth, fearing the dead may tell tales of the many wrongs 
done them here. The old adage, that "dead men tell no 
tales,*' is pleasantly sustained by them, and to awaken to 
a knowledge of an intelligence beyond returning, startled 
the bigoted, wicked world to its foundation. But the 
dear ones who have longed for truth and freedom found 
an answering call to their progress, a hope beyond the 
dark and silent tomb, and a happy recognition of fathers, 
mothers, children, brothers, sisters and friends who would 
come and administer consolation to their souls as well as 
those saints of old whom they pray so unceasingly to. 

We have now an intelligent communication opened and 
understood between the spheres, and each and all are per- 
mitted to receive tokens of their friends. 

How should the world rejoice at this great event-; but, 
like all others of importance, it is denied, trampled on, 
and those through whom it came are not recognized as 
honest or reliable because it was not given to some popu- 
lar religion, or because it was considered an impossibility, 
as all great advanced thoughts are received, and as Jesus 
himself was received when he came teaching this same 
doctrine. They soon crucified Him, and would have those 
through whom those raps came, had not sufficient light 
shone upon the world through mesmerism, magnetism and 
electric currents to push back the crowd of ignorance that 
would have destroyed them. 

How truly many love darkness rather than light fearing 
the light will expose their hideous deformity. The great 
awakening to life, the advent of telegraphing the thoughts 
from north to south, east to west, from the absent wan- 
derer to the home circle gave an impetus to life, a heart 
throb to millions of living, intelligent beings, who felt at 
once the names of those whom oceans and mountains had 
separated for years — felt in the unit of that great link a 
response of brotherly love and friendship cemented. But 
was it done without an effort, a struggle? Did man receive 
it at once, or did he rebel and deny the possibility of such 



20 

a scene. The spirit world had found a channel by and 
through which they could work out the problem of con- 
necting thought controlling space and distance into seconds 
of time. 

Now the world looks on, and feels the great importance of 
that wonderful invention and gain when continents are 
united. Another great mind was sought which had to pass 
the great ordeal of doubting Thomases when at last it was 
supposed he had gained the victory, what wonderful demon- 
strations in his favor, but when, alas, it was pronounced 
a failure, he was hooted and sneered at as a poor, fanatical 
idiot for ever dreaming of such a scheme.* Such is life 
and such are the phases of mankind while laboring under 
ignorance; the first to assail without investigation and the 
first to adopt when it has proved itself an independent 
truth. 

Those who do most for the world receive the least reward 
in its worldly benefits ; but the soul that lifts itself above 
feels a reward beyond all earthly agrandizemeut. 

They are lifted in aspirations and sympathy to those 
ennobling, spiritual influences which have upheld and sus- 
tained them through their trying ordeal, and now reward 
them in soul language that mortal cannot give or take away. 
I have been with you often and mingled my sympathies 
with you in all your trying scenes of this late unhappy war. 
The true spirit of liberty has a diamond setting and will 
remain when all dross or ignorance will be removed. Many 
of its particles may have been destroyed, but only to make 
the remaining centre a more brilliant, a more permanent 
structure. The grand framework has been immortalized 
by the grand architect of nature's harmonies, and remodeled 
by our early charter of governmental form in uniting and 
still dispensing freedom to all as we then understood it, and 
through the developing powers of time wrought out through 
opposing elements, a chosen, a brighter light for freedom. 

Through all this we have not been idle, and through 
the ministration of the angel -world, a spiritual light has 
broken in upon the darkness of the mind, awakening it to 
a higher and a nobler impulse that every man has a right 
to speak and think the thoughts or inspirations God has 
given him, feeling or upholding a self-reliant assurance, 
that a power sustains all good and ennobling action. 

Your dear departed Lincoln, do you think him dead be- 
cause removed from sight? No, he stands to-day an im- 
mortalized spirit, investigating and sustaining this, our 
beloved country; and though a martyr through the con- 

* Would say to youthful readers, that Morse's Atlantic Cable at first proved a failure. 



21 

spiracy of an infatuated, bigoted people, still lie pities 
them for their darkness and inharmonious conditions. 

Could you see him to-day, you would find him at his 
work, with the same calm, benignant look tracing the line 
of the nation. He lives not only to-day in the hearts of 
his people, but a living, acting principle, as true to the 
interest of his country as when on earth. No, so long as 
such men are moulded in earth and transplanted in heaven, 
your noble country will never be destroyed, but will be 
sustained to outgrow all bigotry and error, uniting with a 
free and ennobling purpose of life. 

My great desire is to see this glorious structure reared 
so harmonious, that angels can come in true sympathy, 
uniting the two worlds in one, giving and receiving the 
true elements of life. 

Truly is it not one life, with its variety, its changes 
growing more and more refined, purified on its upward 
progress, yet not scorning to return to embrace those yet 
clothed with material, to impregnate them with the 
spiritual, the divine influence of their spiritual life. Oh, 
how can any one wish to debar the thought that angels can 
minister unto the wants of man. Angels are only dis- 
solved mortals, and by purifying by sympathy and love, 
by communion with those from the other side, we feel the 
same interest for life as when on earth ; being free from 
the mortal, we see and understand the wants and neces- 
sities of man clearer, and to a more enlarged sphere than 
while in the form. My investigation has proved that there 
is no hell, where the wicked are forever tortured, and no 
heaven where there is eternal rest from action. I find con- 
tinued progress from lower to higher conditions, and what 
man does not learn or live up to while on earth, he must 
learn or grow to after changing forms and worlds, for he 
is only passed to another sphere of action, where he con- 
tinues to unfold in that the spiritual world has to give. 

We are placed here as the beginning of life to use the 
blessings of this world in preparing and fitting us for 
another. By understanding the true nature of this world 
and its uses, improving and becoming acquainted with 
natural laws, thereby learning to harmonize our conditions 
with the wants and desires of our natures, that we may 
grow to a perfectness of the principles of life, that the 
unfoldment may be a perfect soul at its departure, not 
cramped or deformed, but beautifully adapted and de- 
veloped when it leaves its mother's hands to enter into the 
folds of its Father, God, a well developed, spiritual child, 
born of both material and spiritual life. 



22 

We sometimes come to earth singly, and sometimes as 
a convocation of spirits, and mingle aronnd the loved spots 
of earth. Sometimes hosts attend when there is sufficient 
to attract, and you often see mediums so perfectly under 
the power of surrounding spirits as to change like the 
twinkling of an eye from one influence to another ; such 
anxiety have the spirits to manifest themselves, that to 
come they will be satisfied with a shake of the hand if no 
more, just to be permitted once more to feel the pressure 
of some friend of earth. It gives them strength to go on- 
ward and rejoice in this new found truth, as they have 
found that it affords as much happiness to the spirits as 
to those still in the form to be known and to realize that 
they have not passed beyond this sphere forever. This it is 
that makes heaven the free, full association of dear friends, 
a mingling of soul, not a heaven to be placed beyond the 
reach of dear ones cherished with only a stray friend being 
permitted to enter the holies of holies, while the many not 
recognized are refused admittance, and are cast off forever. 

What must be the state or condition of that soul with 
full understanding to find himself alone in a beautiful spot, 
where no dear friend could approach. Would it be heaven 
to him? Would he not rather choose hell with all its 
pains, and be permitted to see the dear ones of his earth- 
life? Give a being a palace, with all its grandeur and 
wealth, and compel him to live without the idols of his 
heart, would he not rather choose a cave within some lone 
spot with his cherished ones around him. How cold 
must have been those hearts who first conceived such a 
distorted and horrible religion with no warmth of sun- 
shine, no ray of love to enliven and warm into being a 
loving, trusting confidence in the wisdom and goodness of 
God for his unbounded mercies bestowed. With what 
zeal they have worked to mar and deface the beautiful pic- 
ture of harmonious laws destroying nature and checking 
the free, fresh impulses of God's holy sympathies. 

A long experience in spirit-spheres has unfolded to me 
the great problem of man's existence, as it does to every 
spirit that has risen to a condition of harmonious truth. 

It tears down and destroys all theories though made 
with honest conviction of mind, which are not made in the 
principle of love and goodness, for that mind that con- 
ceived in error has found a resting place until it can gather 
more light. If a theory is known to be false and given to 
the world ignorantly, or to deceive, the sooner that mask 
is torn away the better. Better that the eye should be 
torn from the socket, than to let it remain to destroy the 



23 

whole body by its disease. The object of angels coming 
to the world to-day to represent themselves, is to remove 
the bigotry, superstition and ignorance of the world re- 
garding the continued life of departed friends, and to wel- 
come again the light of knowledge which Jesus of Nazareth 
preached and practised while in an inspired condition. 
Loving, breathing words came from his soul, while he 
practiced true brotherly feeling to his disciples and all 
that would listen to him. His bright and holy example 
illustrates the sweet humility of a loving, forgiving spirit, 
blending the two worlds in sweet communion. 

I have met him in the brightest glory; a glorified saintly 
expression pervades his divine countenance; with a sweet 
smile he beckons all to him who can approach his bright 
surroundings; a train of brightness follows him in his 
mission through the spheres, for he is still fulfilling his 
mission of love and kindness, still carrying out the great 
principle he advocated while on earth. Conversing with 
higher attributes of knowledge that are dispensing har- 
mony everywhere, I find that there is much to learn, and 
that we never cease to learn throughout eternity. The 
wondrous beauty and attractive law of progress draws us 
on from one sphere to another of usefulness. My mission 
now, is to harmonize the condition of men to a higher 
law — to a usefulness and knowledge of that power that 
exists within the great fountain of all life, The world is 
a stranger unto itself. Man with all his knowledge has 
not known his brother man. The truest hearts have been 
overlooked, because the sensitive soul has drawn itself 
beneath the external covering, which has been cultivated 
to wear a cold exterior, and to check back the least sym- 
pathetic expression, for fear of showing a weakness or 
ignorance of the educational etiquet of society. I was 
never conventional, and could not adopt that supercilious- 
ness and vanity which leads many of earth's brightest 
ornaments astray from the beautiful in nature. I felt that 
in honesty of purpose and candor of expression, we gained 
more of the real and substantial of life, the true enjoyment 
of all that this earth affords. I could see nothing gained 
by deception — that would only result in exposure and 
mortification — and that all who practiced it sooner or later 
became victims of their own folly. I see many to-day 
despised for their honesty in expressing the true meaning 
of their souls, and they are called "foolish" by those 
who have learned to wear a false covering or mask to hide 
their deformity. It is better to tear away the false cover- 



24 

ing, and let the true impulse come forth to the light, that 
what is not good can be removed. 

The free speech of the people to-day is that which will 
convert the world. By expression, we can gather the true 
elements of nature, and seeing them know how to cleanse 
them. 

Suppression of thought by the masses while being dic- 
tated to by the few, and by those limited to certain creeds, 
causes deception to be practiced between the higher and 
lower classes of men. The lower orders fearing to disobey 
openly, and yet feeling an antagonistic principle prevail- 
ing them, knowing oftentimes the justice of their cause, 
are led into revolution and bloodshed ; we have felt it 
through all past ages; I have seen it in our own last revo- 
lution. 

Suppression at the South of voice and education, was 
the great lump through which permeated the education of 
free speech of liberal minds; its impregnating process 
aroused a disturbing element, which only could subside 
by throwing off the froth and scum of ignorance; bringing 
to light a condition of oppression both loathsome and 
terrible, to an enlightened nation whose motto was Liberty. 
There must always be a refining process through the dif- 
ferent stages of civilization — the removing of the old and 
worn out forms of materialism, by which the new life or 
growth must be recognized in life as a living principle. 

Many cling to old forms as old and tried friends, and 
cannot part from them, fearing to trust to the new. We can 
love and respect them for the good they have done in their 
day, cherishing all the good they gave; but shall we stand 
idly looking back on those who have finished their work 
here, and have left their deeds to speak of them in their 
day, and not look beyond for a more developed and pro- 
gressed being in a higher life? No; we find that change 
is written on everything that we behold; that change is 
the great principle of life. Therefore we must keep pace 
with all created matter. Will a rose bloom continually, 
or does it bud and bloom, and fade and become scentless; 
the leaves fade and soon another tiny bud and a gradual 
unfolding of another beautiful rose, thus continuing life 
and freshness. 

You would not cling to the old rose for its freshness, 
for it has gone, but for its reminiscense of some faithful 
remembrance or memento of its past beauty or fragrance. 

Such is life; all forms must change. Minds susceptible 
of thought will grow out into new and untried channels 
awakening to new ideas, new revelations inspired to act 



25 

from a new and undefined impulse which do not harmonize 
with the old; feeling that the old is too narrow, too con- 
fining for their capacity, and like an olden garment does 
not fit easily or gracefully, but cramps and feels uncom- 
fortable. Would you compel any one to wear a garment 
they had outgrown; then why confine minds enlarged to 
submit to conditions they feel altogether too narrow for 
their capacity. 

If we reason, let us reason honestly. If one is necessary 
for physical life, surely the other is necessary for spiritual 
life; for the natural and spiritual are so nearly blended 
that we cannot mar the one without injury to the other. 
Therefore, to grow beautiful, we must allow the spiritual 
to unfold in goodness and freedom, believing that an en- 
larged spiritual condition will produce a harmonious, 
physical organization as a healthy, well-developed body 
produces a free and independent spirit. These conditions 
have not been rightly understood, and a new era of ex- 
istence is beginning to unfold to the wants of man. There 
are a great many obstacles to be overcome to remove the 
useless forms and ceremonies of past ages, when the world 
in its undeveloped condition worked through the material 
more than the spiritual, and might rather than right gov- 
erned the world. When Paine's Age of Reason broke upon 
the world its flood of light, and opened a channel for 
thinking minds, how the blood-hounds of oppression 
howled down one of the greatest men of the age. They 
could not find language strong enough to anathematize 
his name, but not a word for his self-sacrifice and noble- 
ness of heart for our country's welfare in her darkest 
hour. No, the trial was over and the country saved ; he 
was no longer needed to protect them by his voice, and 
pen, and arm. 

They were now ready to destroy, ah! even annihilate the 
very name of Paine, whose soul soared above the ignorance 
and bigotry of the day and went out to the great future, 
when the minds of men should be loosed still further from 
the bondage of creeds. Truly, that man's day is yet to 
conns — when men shall reverence and love him as an in- 
spired and crucified man. His name is immortalized on 
the records of time and eternity. 

How different has the world recognized us. Still we 
were both led by the power of God through the angel- 
world in our different spheres. He was guided to his 
work by the great spiritual light given him, and expressed 
what to him was a truth; standing alone with the unseen 
world on one side, and the darkness, superstition and big- 



26 

otry of a cold, heartless world on the other. Oh ! could 
you see him to-day as he lifts the veil of obscurity from 
the minds of the people as they are awakening to a condi- 
tion to see the truth of that great and inspired work, the 
Age of Reason, — you would see a soul alive for the great 
truth of freedom of thought, an elevation of soul to higher 
and holier principles. To-day, 'Tom Paine,''' the infidel, as 
he has been ingloriously called by the clergy and all 
christian sects, stands far above those who have tried to 
climb into heaven on his ruins . His independence and 
candor should have been enough to have commanded at 
least the respect of those who were dependent upon him 
for the liberty they now possessed, to worship God after 
the dictates of their own hearts, truly, they were blind 
to their own welfare, for as they were emerging from op- 
pression into libert} 7 , their first assault was upon the one 
who had been my best friend and adviser, and their great 
friend in their sorest time of need. And for the same 
reason did they persecute him, while making a father of 
me, made a demon of him. What terrible revolutions 
must take place before the true light appears. Thus it 
has been with all great and advanced minds ; the world 
cannot understand them until they have passed on, and 
then they begin to grow up to a condition to understand 
and appreciate them. 

Yes, your beloved Washington, as you call me, feels 
proud of the association of Thomas Paine in this life, and 
in the great spiritual harmony of' the spheres. We are 
co-workers in this great spiritual field of reform, and many 
are the blest associations as we still work on in the true 
mission of liberty, of thought and speech — he in his sphere 
of usefulness and advancement, and I in mine of har- 
monizing and elevating. I, for the times in which I lived, 
and he in advance, leading the way to future events. 



SECTION FOURTH. 

We are now preparing for a newer and higher develop- 
ment in the spheres. Our elevation depends wholly upon 
our progress in this life. I feel now while giving this in- 
troductory of my reception and progress, and duties in 
spirit life, that I do neither justice to myself or the won- 



27 

derful surroundings through which I have passed during 
my spiritual life, but as I was a plain spoken and candid 
man in earth-life, I find that I cannot elaborate of the won- 
derful and beautiful in the spheres as some might do with 
the same knowledge. I still feel that plain facts are better 
understood, and that we can draw nearer to the true soul 
of man, by leading him up gently and naturally to a truth 
which has been too long buried by strange depressions 
and elevations, and by prophetic visions which could not 
be reached by reason and harmonious law. 

The great principle of all life, the universal spirit of all 
matter, whether spiritual or material, the Divine Architect 
of all, has always led and will always lead us and all things 
up through the developing process of growth, of knowledge 
and spiritual advancement. It is the inevitable law of life 
and regeneration. Production and reproduction can never 
cease in the material, and will be wrought out in beauty 
and perfectness in the spiritual spheres. 

Here we again become co-workers in the beautiful 
spheres of spirit-life, each and all in his own capacity for 
blending and arranging what to him or her has the most 
attractions. Thus, you will find spirits coming to earth 
with a different phase of power controlling those mediums 
whose organization is best adapted and congenial to their 
influence. All mediums are not controlled alike. They 
do not look or think alike, naturally, and are not controlled 
by spirits with the same desires Thus, you see some are 
controlled to speak, some to write, some to move physical 
or material bodies, others to rap, some for language, 
painting, surveying, geological, astronomical, seeing of 
spirits, describing friends or strangers, showing the posi- 
tive and negative forces of life; in fact, all and every phase 
has to come to the knowledge of earth. 

I have wandered long from my beautiful sphere home, 
finding so much to attract me to my early associations. I 
will now lead back in thought to those who wish to follow 
me through the labyrinthian to beautiful worlds of light 
and knowledge which 1 have been permitted to enjoy since 
I left your sphere of materiality. 

I am now passing beyond those scenes I gave you of 
sphere life, and find myself resting to behold the wonders 
of God's great universe. 

From this locality I seem to scan all things, 1 feel able 
to comprehend all things, my being takes in as it were all 
life, and still I feel drawn with an irresistible force to 
some locality where I am to witness the great law which 
governs all things. I feel an incomprehensible law per- 



28 

vading my being ; I am not alone ; I see millions of 
bright spirits and my own dear friends all about me guiding 
me on in this wonderful sphere of life. Oh! God, thou 
infinite, shall I ever behold thee more fully in thy works 
than in this wonderful grandeur and sublimity, this hap- 
piness and harmony that pervades all things, and of gorgeous 
scenery, and artistic beauty. I seem to come en rapport, 
with all, yet so distinctly define everything, that I lose my- 
self in the hum of angel voices, the angelic choristers of 
the heavenly spheres. Shall we ever cease to grow or 
desire more. We feel sometimes that we have enough 
and should suffocate with more, and for a while are at 
rest. But again we find ourselves hungering and thirsting 
with other desires ; we cannot enjoy all at once, and 
therefore receive only such as our capacity is fitted to en- 
joy, continually growing to meet the conditions through 
which we are to pass. We commence life with but few 
wants, and receive all that is necessary as we grow. So 
also in the spiritual life, the infant draws to itself all that 
it. needs as it develops into full spiritual existence. Thus, 
you see, that though I am blest beyond expression, still 
I know that I shall become acquainted with my sur- 
roundings and be led to other scenes throughout illimit- 
able space, — returning, shall carry the fruits of knowledge 
to those who are following up through the wonderful, the 
beautiful of God's great kingdom. 

We shall never cease to learn or lose the desire to know 
more. That law of impulse that soars to unknown realms 
in earth-life, never ceases in sphere-life ; it is the infinite 
placed within us that never dies; that that moves us in- 
spirationaliy onward forever and ever. 

When the form through which inspiration is given is 
weakened or destroyed, it may act no longer, but takes to 
itself a form through which it can work in its progress 
throughout eternal ages. 

When the aged can no longer gather up the beauty and 
knowledge of earth, because of their physical and mental 
decay, then does the spirit revel again in the knowledge of 
past experiences of love and happiness, living over again 
those bright and happy associations, reviewing the past 
to prepare it to be linked to the spiritual, when the worn- 
out casket is broken, and it is released from the confine- 
ment of material that is no longer needed to protect or 
develop the soul. Truly, there is nothing lost, for the 
spirit takes to itself all that it has gathered of experience or 
happiness while inhabiting the form; carrying its treasures 
to its spirit-home, there to blend and beautify in its future 



29 

growth and associations in the spheres. Also, the mate- 
rial, though falling to decay, is not lost; for each and 
every particle has its place, its mission, a new field of 
action through which new forms will take possession to 
work out new developments. Thus, there is continuation 
of life, giving variety and beauty through this ever working 
law of the infinite which I was not permitted to know by 
education, and only felt in the inspiration of the soul. 

Had I known how to have cultivated this spiritual know- 
ledge, it would have advanced me on the spiritual plane 
of intelligence. Oh! man of this day, how blest is your lot 
in the free investigation of the spiritual influx into the 
darkened atmosphere of your life. Sure and steadfast are 
principles attracted to like principles; and as the unfolding 
bud reaches out its tiny leaves to the atmosphere until it 
is unfolded in all its beauty and fragrance, so the same law 
draws us on to our higher unfoldment. It is a growth of 
soul, a continuation throughout eternity. Shall wisdom 
cease at the threshold of eternity, and if so, why this 
longing after something we do not find in earth life? 

Surely earth has sufficient for the material wants of 
man, and if he ceases to gather enough to place him at 
once in paradise, then his wants can be supplied at his 
mother's bosom — his earthly home. Nature is bountiful 
in her supplies of all material things, and our spiritual 
teachings have been of a Savior to redeem the world, 
leaving nothing for us to do throughout the ages of eter- 
nity. Will that be bliss? Can we feel that this is all we 
were designed for? No, God forbid. I know that every 
soul, properly understanding his needs, will never wish to 
be a drone in the kingdom of heaven, but will gather hap- 
piness by being a worker in the great universe. Inspira- 
tion is food that feeds the hungry soul and gives nourish- 
ment to the spiritual life, it is the unbroken link which 
binds us to the immortal, and through it the departed 
friends can minister to the wants of men. I find other 
spheres or planets are blending with our own ; beings of 
angelic brightness visit and revisit our sphere, and speak 
of wondrous beauty surrounding them. They speak of the 
wonderful revelations in their world of changes, of pro- 
gressive developments, records of past life in the lower 
spheres, showing plainly that all planets are formed by 
gradual process until they have passed on and resolved 
into a higher altitude of spiritual existence. Forms of life 
are similar to those of our earth ; they are living evidence 
of what this earth is yet to be. Man will yet stand re- 
vealed in so harmonious a condition while in the form, 



30 

that he will perfectly recognize the spiritual condition of 
all the elements of his surrounding, and will be cognizant 
of the mission of angels, and will be in harmony with the 
spiritual. 

Education is fast becoming general, and humane man 
begins to realize that he has been a stranger to himself, 
and studying outside of the true element of life, he finds 
that he is not acquainted with himself, for he is -never at 
home, and when at home does not make himself acquainted 
with the edifice which he inhabits. If it gets out of repair 
he has to call a mechanic to put it in order. 

Little by little truth comes in upon us, until like the sun's 
rays, we hope soon to see it fully illuminating and giving to 
all functions a free and full use, learn us the wonderful 
beauty and use of all our faculties, and bring them up to 
the requirements originally designed. 

"Give, and ye shall receive more abundantly," was the 
teaching of an inspired man; and we have found the truth 
of that remark in spiritual faith as well as in physical life. 

Truly, it is blessed to give as well as receive, for if you 
do good unto others, you will receive two-fold; first, in the 
happiness derived, and also by making room for some- 
thing new to fill the place of the old, which you no longer 
needed, thereby giving to others what was only given to 
you, until you no longer needed it. Be not selfish, as it 
contracts the noble impulses of your nature. The miser 
is most miserable, living in constant fear of every one, 
suspicious of all, until he weaves himself a net of wretched- 
ness from which he cannot extricate himself, and dies 
alone, perishing beside the demon avarice, without friend- 
ship or care. 

What a weight drags that spirit down to earth ; a weight 
mightier than mountains, gathering his own darkness from 
his undeveloped, selfish condition. 

Seeing but one thing, having but one desire, binds the 
soul in chains and bondage while on earth, and drags it 
to a darkened condition in sphere-life, there co await re- 
lease by a gradual, spiritual development. 

Thus the Bible illustration that it was "easier for a camel 
(or cable, as it was intended to be read,) to go through the 
eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the king- 
dom of heaven" — for he has rendered himself so inhar- 
monious to true simplicity and God-like trust in the infi- 
nite spirit, that it is impossible to rid himself of the im- 
portance of self agrandizement. His God is his money, 
and the influence it brings is his happiness. He knows 
no other God, and recognizes no power but the power of 



• 31 

wealth and its influence. They stand an impenetrable wall 
between him and the spirit-world, for he scorns to listen 
to the silent teachings of ministering angels. But when 
sickness comes, or riches take to themselves wings and fly 
away, then comes the silent monitor to awaken the sleepy 
senses of thought and reason; reflection with its long train 
of regrets comes to arouse the dormant faculties of the 
mind. Friends that basked in the sunshine of his pros- 
perity, are cold and distant, adding insult by their pity 
and neglect. Little by little is the soul aroused to a full 
consciousness of past neglect of the need of life's blessings, 
until it shrinks from its former surroundings, looking lor 
the first time to a higher source of light and truth, and 
reaches out its aspirations to a higher and holier principle. 

How little has life been understood; its principles, its 
bearings and surroundings upon other elements and asso- 
ciations of life. We are constantly repelling or attracting 
other elements; we are not independent beings, but are 
constantly dependent one upon another, as children of one 
great family, and cannot do a wrong to ourselves without 
injury to others surrounding us. In marring God's beauti- 
ful structure you render inharmony to others, and break 
the beautiful links which serve as ladders to reach the 
upper realms. 

How much good a happy, bright countenance gives to 
those who look upon it. It is like sunshine beaming 
through a cloud. It drives darkness and gloom from its 
presence, and gives gladness and joy to hearts rilled with 
sadness. It is like a light set upon a hill to guide the 
wanderer. We are feeding the world with crumbs, while 
the food for the soul lies buried beneath the rubbish of 
forms and pride, withholding the true wealth that was given 
by God to b'estow r upon humanity without money or price. 

How often does the soul languish for sympathy and 
friendship while surrounded with all that wealth can buy, 
and starve with abundance because not understood, because 
education has made conventional rules that must be obeyed. 

It has visited bodies not souls, and they must remain im- 
prisoned like caged birds, or break through and be doomed 
to eternal scorn and neglect by the bigoted world, for daring 
to be free. Why not imprison the sunlight, or the winds, 
or the bounding ocean, as to cramp the soul in its inspira- 
tional yearnings after freedom. Parents who compel their 
daughters to unite with one who is mentally, physically or 
inspirationally deficient, because he has money or influence, 
commit a sin which can never be atoned. • They have placed 
her in bondage, from which there is no escape, except 



32 | 

through infamy or death. The world has striven to become 
unnatural, to work against her laws, and thus destroy the 
harmony of her beautiful surroundings. 

Light gives to our senses a beautiful world, filled with 
ail that is necessary for the wants of man, and we grasp at 
such things as will satisfy the demands of nature; but, 
spiritually, we do not see the working or propelling power 
of these creations. Yet silently are these little, spiritual 
messengers doing their work, producing what we see and 
know. In the material life we only look at the result, not 
the cause and effect which produces them. 

The world has accepted without giving thought how 
these were placed here. They have blindly listened to 
ancient records of its formations, and rested satisfied to be 
and die, running the risk of a hell or heaven — have remained 
in stupid ignorance of laws governing themselves, and 
trusted their soul's salvation to a few pampered priests, 
who had learned just enough to make them selfish and 
cunning, teaching them to withhold light and truth from 
the people; thus holding them in superstition and igno- 
rance, knowing that this would hold them in their power. 

I say to the world to-day, let the light shine that all may 
see. Sow broadcast the truth of God's universal love and 
brotherhood, not select an oldest brother to inherit all by 
entailment, but let all be given an equal opportunity to 
receive, and learn, and act freely and socially, yet inde- 
pendently, like reasonable beings. Afewadvanced'minds 
have worked nobly through these generations, *and to such 
the world owes much. They have remained steadfast, as 
the needle to the pole, to such things as they conceived to 
be truths, and thus opened the way for others to walk. 

They have driven back the bigotry and oppression of 
the past and present, and are now beginning to arouse 
thousands, ah! millions of minds, where only a handfull 
dared express or think freely. 

We see great efforts being mnde to overthrow this en- 
lightened movement for liberty of speech or action, and 
the consequent result will be a revolution — a war of sects 
and creeds against light and reason, of tyranny and op- 
pression against liberty and freedom. 

The time is not far distant, when there will be a general 
uprising of the powers of church against free speech and 
spiritual light and freedom. They are secretly uniting to 
overthrow God's holy temple and sacrifice His children to 
their god of ambition, ignorance and lust. But they count 
without their ho.s4), for the true and universal God has 
opened a channel which bigotry had hedged up by as- 



33 

suming to take God's place, and selling liberties to those 
whose freedom was equal to their own; acting as agents of 
God to buy and sell souls, thereby enslaving bodies and 
souls to their lust, deceit and cruelty. 

SECTION FIVE. 

It is time the world was aroused to a sense of its wrongs 
and darkness; that spirits from a higher sphere opened a 
channel, whereby men might be awakened to the truth of 
reason and knowledge from a higher standpoint, when 
bigotry and oppression will loose its power, and love and 
charity look upon us all as children of one father. 

The door has been opened wide, and children of spirit- 
life can visit and revisit the loved ones of earth, and reach 
out to them the helping hand of love and affection. Bars 
can no longer debar the sweet communion of souls; no 
dungeons or rocks can stay them; prison bars cannot bind 
them, for God liveth to-day in all his glory, and will lead 
them out to the astonishment of those who assume to 
oppress or oppose his inspirational teachings. They 
preach from a work of their own invention, and call it 
God's holy book; and yet neither follow its teachings or 
the one they call Savior God, but blindly destroy its 
most angelic beauty, and howl its terrors into the ears of 
those w T ho are not allowed to read it understandingly, know- 
ing it would expose their baseness — " God forgive them, 
for they know not what they do" as the Nazarene said 
upon the cross. Trials and temptations bring out the 
true elements of life. Had all enabling thoughts been 
burned without utterance, where would be the progress of 
art and science. Scientific minds being free and indepen* 
dent, have brought the world to its present standpoint; 
have revolutionized the world in scientific research and 
mechanism; the elevation of mind equalizing the social, 
moral and spiritual of men and women — equal on the same 
plane of development — giving to each all that they are 
capable of receiving in intellectual or moral capacity. 

These conditions have not been understood and recog- 
nized, that woman should stand equal with man; he may 
have more of the grossness of physical nature, but she 
certainly has more of the spiritual or refined, to overcome 
his physical with; they are necessary to each other — she 
needing his stronger positive forces to strengthen her, and 
he more of her spiritual nature to elevate him to a higher 
and more refined condition. I would that all could come 
to a knowledge of the great truth of life as a principle, and 
God as the all-pervading spirit or intelligence, permeating 



34 

all matter developing the material into beautiful forms of 
growth, showing the wonderful in his works by variety of 
form and color, of taste and expression. 

All recognize a divine hand or intelligence guiding them. 
" Wonderful are Thy works, oh! God," who giveth such 
abundance for all, freely and without cost; and yet his child- 
ren are suffering for nourishment, both physically and 
spiritually, because man's power (not God's) has monopo- 
lized the earth, and grasped to themselves that which 
belongs to all. Who gave the right to buy and sell that 
which belongs to GodV The same that pretend to hold 
the keys to heaven. They assume the power to enslave 
body and soul, whereby the elements of lower physical 
condition may manifest themselves by antagonistic force — 
the stronger oppressing the weak. 

When liberal education and honest investigation can 
take the place of sectarian creeds and bigoted oppression, 
then will men begin to awaken to a new life, and new reali- 
zation of God and his kingdom; his universal gifts to men 
as an intelligent and spiritual being, who is to act a part 
in the great drama of life; not a being to be suppressed 
by man, but an equal as far as he is capable of being 
educated or advanced. 

Therefore man should be educated in the elevation of 
all his natural, moral and spiritual gifts. There is no 
darkness in God's great universe; no hidden laboratory 
where he manufactures or creates worlds or beings, but 
a beautiful and general revelation of all his works ever 
before the eyes of all, where they may study through his 
works, up to the divine principle — God. God works not 
in secret; has no secret machinations to show to a few, 
while the multitude are in ignorance of his beautiful law 
showing to man that all are recipients of his love and 
mercy. 

When man becomes more spiritual, more refined by a 
true revelation, then will he understand the meaning of 
God and his universal laws, finding that happiness does 
not wholly depend upon his prosperity here in material 
matters, but that conditions of mind are the most beauti- 
ful when we have been enabled to do the most good to our 
brother man. To be spiritual and god-like, man is not 
required to become unnatural, but to be natural in all his 
gifts wrought into refinement. Many suppose, to be 
natural, man must be uncouth and rough with no refine- 
ment. It is not so; to be natural is to develop those pow- 
ers that have been given up to a condition of usefulness 
and beauty — for every-one has something beautiful and 



35 

divine in his being. To draw it forth, it must be wrought 
upon with a gentle hand of encouragement, giving them 
confidence in themselves of some worth. The manner of 
education has been a distorting of the beautiful gifts of 
nature, and cruelly substituting unnatural and artificial 
for the real. Has not nature in her great laboratory pro- 
duced the most beautiful and wonderful productions in 
every phase. Man may assist, but never out-do nature; 
he can never deviate without marring her harmonious con- 
ditions. The true education of the world has been retard- 
ed for the want of a more spiritual condition; man has 
attempted to stand alone, making himself independent of 
God, only recognizing him as a being to save him from 
some unknown suffering beyond the tomb. He has not 
recognized him in all his works or in his life as a part of 
his creation, and consequently has lived without God while 
in health and prosperity; therefore has only lived a half 
of life, (that being the physical) the spiritual having slum- 
bered for want of recognition. 

When the mind of man becomes darkened from doubt, it 
weaves a web of wretchedness, that obscures the beautiful 
light of God's face, giving a feeling of loneliness and deso- 
lation. When we can see an All- wise providence leading 
us on, can feel the touch of angel fingers, we shall look up 
again in confidence like children feeling safe from harm, 
as when held by a loving mother, and feel that we are 
being led by invisibles to the home of immortals. Of our- 
selves, we are nothing; but blending the divine power of 
love and harmony, we come en rapport with the God prin- 
ciple of all life. It is then that we are led to do those 
things which seem so mysterious to ourselves. We trust 
too mueh to our finite condition, and grow outwardly, 
groping after physical life; the intention or inspirational 
has not been understood, and consequently not cultivated. 
Since the advent of spiritualism, men begin to realize an 
inner being; one who has not been understood, but one 
that deserves our greatest attention, for upon that our 
happiness and progression depends; upon it the cultiva- 
tion of spiritual gifts, which when received, are given to 
the world as recognized facts of a universal, spiritual 
intelligence. Spiritual science then opens the doors of 
thought to investigation, unlimited and free. No binding 
creeds to wall up the soul's best and truest emotions, but 
a free, full and trusting confidence in the future of God's 
love and goodness. 

The world to day stands out to the enlightment of free 
thought, every individual — though cramped by creeds — by 



;36 

the outward form, is living in a world of thought within 
himself, which will eventually give birth to a greater fullness 
of truth and beauty. 

Soon will the mind of man expand to an independent in- 
dividuality — life is beginning to wear beauteous rays of 
light, and hues of color, which will blend, and mingle in 
their divine mission of harmony with God's eternal law. 

I am not a teacher, but a practical worker; and am merely 
giving my experience of things as I see them. Much has 
to be overcome, to bring all minds to bear on these truths 
alike. I have had much thought upon this great subject 
since I left the form, and feel in duty bound to express my- 
self to the world in as plain a garb as possible. We are 
all workers together, all are serving out a mission on earth, 
to be renewed in a sphere or locality suited to their condi- 
tion, and will rise ultimately, to unite at the opening of a new 
and beautiful region, from which translations are no more 
made; by which they revisit their earthly abodes in form, 
but an electric chain of light irradiates those whom they 
wish to control. Influences from Deity are on the same 
principle, and all life is given through this radius. 

Language of these spheres are eminations of electrical 
light, which sparkle and illuminate the spirits, making 
them look like seraphs or Gods of light. 

I am seeking to discover the manner of controlling mor- 
tals, for to me it is as much of a problem as to those of 
earth — soon it will be made known, and then we will im- 
part that knowledge to you, in its true and beautiful sense. 

This power of control grows as naturally to conditions, as 
a plant or beings grow from birth to maturity; or intellect 
grows to understand the natural life. 

The knowledge and fact of cod trolling a mortal by a 
spirit, is under scientific law, aad when fully understood, 
will become as natural as to inhabit your earth . 

The time will come when the inhabitants of earth will feel 
drawn towards the spirit-world, while yet in the form, as 
they are now attracted to different portions of the globe, 
and will as readily understand, what friend is near, and 
the friendly recognition will be as reciprocal. 

Oh! how beautitul. how divine. Could I have known 
these things while guiding my army through those perilous 
storms during that dark struggle, how it would have glad- 
dened the hearts of many a poor comrade who bravely 
fought for freedom of body while he felt the soul yet fainting 
in bondage; but inspiration for the cause led them on to 
victory, and those who fell before its close found a ransom 
on this other shore. But when they attempted to get back 



. 37 

to hail their comrades with joy, they found a barrier of 
superstition holding them in darkness which no power of 
their's could overcome, as the day had not dawned upon 
their spiritual understanding, and all minds were held by 
the fear of being drawn to an investigation as to the results 
of eternal destruction. 

Enough has been said to cause this great truth of life 
to be admitted by those who have received demonstrations 
of such a character as to prove beyond a doubt that spiritual 
matter does control mortals, and that intelligence does exist 
representing different conditions, and blending with man's 
thoughts, and controlling him while yet in the form, is also 
manifest by thousands of instances, daily growing more and 
more clear and numerous every hour. Why should a spirit 
wish to deceive? What benefit could they derive from such 
a course? 

If we cannot trust God to guide us in this when we 
earnestly ask for truth, what can we rely upon in any creed; 
for are they not all as liable to be deceived by the records 
of the past? If God shows not himself to-day through his 
angels or spirits as of old, can we believe that he ever did; 
must we not reason that designing man gave the history 
called the Bible to man for the purpose of holding power 
over those they wished to rule? 

If God did come then in the angel or spirit form, and 
talk and walk with men, can he not now, and would not 
His revelation be greater to man at this day, than those 
rusty records, even if they contained nothing but the truth? 
If the truth is there, it certainly lives to-day as well as in 
ancient times. There has been no separation of Heaven 
from earth since Bible record, and we have not heard but 
that the good go straight to heaven to-day as they did of 
old, and in the same manner through the dissolution of 
the flesh. Men are born* into the material life and pass 
into the spiritual the same as in the Bible times. Then, 
why should God withhold His spiritual communications 
through spirits or angels unto men in these days, and de- 
cline to give the same gifts that were promised to us in 
Bible times. Why give to one generation the key to the 
kingdom of heaven, that men in all succeeding generations 
must be subject unto them for their knowledge of God and 
the future life. I know that heaven as it is called, or 
spiritual life, has greater divine knowledge to impart than 
has ever been received, and if men would read the Bible 
understandingly, like any other book, receiving the con- 
sistencies, and laying aside the absurdities, they would 
reach the beautiful truths illustrated therein, and repel the 



• • 38 

exaggerated accounts given as they do anything else written 
that does not blend with truth and reason. 

If men would have more charity for their brother-man, 
they would not have so many select passages laid by for 
their brothers. Seeing the mote in his brother's eye, he 
has a place fixed for him and a scripture text adapted to 
his case. Looking for motes we are apt to forget the beams 
that hold us down. 

Elevation of one's self from self is the surest religion to 
do right. Let every man make it a business to learn him- 
self, and he will learn to know God, for God lives within 
every one. By seeking the true, the good, the beautiful 
in our brother man, we draw out the same in our own soul 
or interior conscience. 

When men seek to destroy all the nobleness in man's 
nature, and compel him to believe that he was born in sin, 
conceived in iniquity, you have dethroned his God-prin- 
ciple, and placed him a convict upon the plane of condem- 
nation, to walk the earth a criminal before his God and 
men; causing him to feel that he is doomed and can do no 
worse than find a hell at last if he does his utmost here to 
enjoy himself at the expense of the world. Feeling the 
conflict of injustice, doubt and despair, he knows he must 
go through a trying ordeal to his pride, and perhaps not 
succeed in his object of heaven . Thousands, yea, millions 
of noble souls have become desperate and committed sins 
from which their own pure souls revolted, and would never 
have been led to do had they been encouraged and uplifted 
by education, teaching that they were children of the author 
of all existence, with the same divine attributes to cultivate 
and enlarge; and in so doing, would be unfolding in this 
world a beautiful book of life, that would lead them through 
a labarynth of all progression; that the great luminary of 
life was eradiating through them as through all men; that 
no one held the key of life, but that each and all were ca- 
pable of unlocking its treasures as fast as they were capable 
of comprehending. Enlarge the fields of knowledge by 
giving all an opportunity of general information. With- 
hold from none the book of life, the opening sceance of 
interior light or life which emanates from ourselves and 
surrounds us, blending with all the attributes of nature 
and of God, the principle of all life permeating all things. 
The beatiful workmanship of His divine hand is upon all 
things both material and spiritual; the more we recognize 
it, the more we shall become reconciled to God and his 
beautiful creations. Everything becomes a living witness 
in the great arcana of nature; everything is a link binding 



39 

the visible to the invisible. No one thing is isolated in the 
great architectural structures of worlds and spheres — all 
things form a part of the wonderful to man in God's great 
universe. Grains of sand unite to form mountains, drops 
of water to form rivers, lakes and oceans; so worlds are 
formed little by little. Worlds grow as plants, live and 
breathe as man; it is one life in different forms whether 
it be worlds, man, animals or vegetables. This great law 
must be understood in order to revolutionize the world and 
bring men to a conception of the great principle, God. 

We teach the salvation of all men — no losing process, 
no place where the bottom falls out and carries with it the 
many, while a few are saved by a mysterious tie. 

If one be saved, all are saved; they may be scattered, 
but they will find their place, their sphere of action, as 
readily as a child is drawn to its nourishment of life. If 
plants know how to grow, why not men. 

If it is not knowledge, then, it is attraction of force which 
draws them upward; so with man, if he have not knowledge, 
then the law of attraction will draw him to his own. If the 
warmth and genial sunshine could enter those cold walls 
of brick and stone, and thaw out, the frozen mummies and 
memories within, and cause them to shed abroad a more 
enliving loving impulse of brotherhood, how beautiful, 
how fresh would life be divested of all oppression and 
fear — animated with joy and thanksgiving to the great and 
universal giver to mankind of all things. 

There is a day coming, and it will come sooner than men 
think of to-day, when liberation of souls will give an impetus 
to life, which will thaw the frozen blood, causing it to warm 
up the sympathies of humanity; giving love and trusting 
confidence, where now is only hatred and distrust. 

My work is nearly done for this volume, as my dear 
mother wishes to say something in behalf of woman.* 

She has waited patiently, and now I shall control but a 
short time longer for this volume. My dear mother has 
led me in my beautiful home as of old ; not cramping my 
ideas, but blessing with soul communion, to lead me up to 
a higher knowledge of truth. Mother, show great your mis- 
sion ! It never ceases to sustain us through the labarynth- 
ian ages. We shall come again to give of the home where 
angels dwell, and blend, as far as in our power, to that of 
earth. We must awaken man out of his sleep of death, 
and arouse him to a sense of life — that true life, which it is 
necessary to live to become at once a free inhabitant of 
our spiritual sphere. 

* Mary Washington's Experiences in Spirit Spheres, was not written until 1876. They will 
be published in due time. 



40 

Thoughtfully I have written what to me are facts; hold- 
ing the medium in a semi-trance state; giving, what, to her 
had no meaning at the time, but became interesting as she 
read after writing. I claim the privilege of giving my 
testimony in favor of this much abused religion, for, to me, 
it is the only true religion when spirit can predominate 
over matter, and high spiritual intelligence can control 
mortals to give their own thoughts as they find them, to 
the world. If you believe a part, you must believe the 
whole. If the Bible has truths, and angels and spirits 
spoke to man, then they certainly do now. We are 
called spirit — but we are matter refined — but material still; 
but not to your physical eye. The long dark period of 
man's existence is passing away, and the morning of a new 
resurrection is taking its place, when all eyes shall be 
made to see God in his works, and every tree and flower 
shall unite to praise him, the universal Father. May this 
work be properly treated; for it is a gift I have long de- 
sired to give the world, not for its scientific merits, but to 
express my own thoughts and investigations in my own 
way — plain and unvarnished. When I come again I shall 
give more from my spirit-home. Until then, I will bid 
you a short good bye. 

May all good angels attend you through this life's jour- 
ney. 

Yours Fraternally. 

GEOEGE WASHINGTON. 



What is life? What is death ? One is the bud, the other the blossom — 
eternity the ripe fruit. Why then try to retain the bud; do we not all 
look forward to the harvest as the acme of all our hopes — but as the tree 
is, so shall the bud, blossom and fruit be. Look then to the tree; live 
your best lives; give nothing to the swine; make every moment a gem to 
shine in the crown awaiting for you. Bring your best thoughts to bear 
on that which is set before you — doing each day's duty grandly — not with 
weak hands and hanging heads, as though bound for the felon's death. So 
act and live, that when called from this stage of action, each may come 
bearing a full sheaf of yellow grain, emblematic of a bountiful life and a 
glorious resurrection. 

Yours, in the faith, 

July 24th, 1878. THOMAS PAINE. 

Reynolds. 



COMMUNICATIONS. 



Dear Brother Thomas : 

We are all here to give you greeting*. It has been said "When 
two or three are gathered together in my name, there will I be 
also." Where you or any of our dear friends meet together in 
the name and for the sake of truth and light, knowledge and 
love, then will we — some of your loved ones from the realms of 
peace and joy — be with you, giving wards of cheer to lighten 
and brighten your pathway, not through the valley and shadow 
of death, but through life. 

May God, the great permeating Spirit of Love, throw his man- 
tle of peace, joy, charity and good-will to all men around you, 
and may you use the blessing for the highest good of mankind. 

ELIZA.* 

April 2, 1875. Kkens. 

*A sister who passed on at four years of age, in 1828. 

My dear friend Clarke : How much I wish to take you by 
the hand and bless you, and to talk over the many blessed 
things that have risen in your earthly home. I feel a great 
desire to communicate with those who still feel that we 
live and have a being. It is such a pleasure to be remem- 
bered, and feel that thoughts still come to us laden with 
happy recollections. It comes like a balm to our souls, 
and fills us with renewed life. But when we go to our 
loved ones who answer back with a knell of darkness and 
doubt, it fills us with sorrow to be thus repelled. Oh! 
what a -weight will be lifted, when the world has become 
awakened to the true knowlege of life beyond the grave, 
with a recognition of our presence and love. Then will 
the millenium come, and not until then. How many times 
I come and walk over the old places, and see old friends 
who used to be so happy to see and meet me, but who 
know me not though I am with them. 

But with you it is a glorious treat; for though you see 
me not, yet you know and recognize me in spirit. I am 
very happy to see you at your present work. Our loved 
Washington has just left in his heavenly beauty so genial 
and so pleasant. Your work is telling and will make it- 
self known upon the minds of the people. There^will be 
a wondrous change in Oakland in the next few years, by 
which many will be convinced of the truth of this grand 
knowledge; the greatest light that has ever been given to 
the world. Now, dear brother, I must go, blessing you 
and yours with love to all. 

From your old friend, 

HENEY DURANT. 

May 16, 1878. Hkndee. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



III* 

022 194 161 5 



i iiiiii ii mil i 

02 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



III. ill II f 

022 194 161 5 « 



